Post attached structures for window assemblies

ABSTRACT

A multi-part, detachable and preassembled panel assembly is provided for use in combination with a vehicle, comprising a first panel having a peripheral edge and adapted to close an opening in the vehicle. A second panel is provided which is adapted to be adjacent the first panel and overlie at least a portion of the vehicle. The first and second panels are detachably coupled to one another by an attachment member molded directly on at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the first panel and including a portion for detachably receiving a securing post extending from the second panel. The second panel is also secured directly to the portion of the vehicle the panel covers by a coupler distant from the attachment member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to panel assemblies for use in vehicles. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to window or decorative panelassemblies for vehicles having an attached applique, leaf screen, cowlor decorative body panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a typical vehicle, the vehicle exterior or body consists of manypanels bolted or welded to an underlying frame. These body panels areshaped so as to provide an aesthetically pleasing, yet functionaldesign. In certain areas of the vehicle body, the panels are quite smalland are provided to conceal aspects of the vehicle housing serviceableparts. Often such panels are merely decorative.

In an effort to make a more aerodynamic vehicle, auto manufacturers wishto reduce exterior features which tend to produce turbulence and windnoise. Turbulence is often produced at boundaries between vehiclestructures, such as the hood and windscreen and other window-to-bodytransitions about the passenger compartment. Because of the differencein materials used at such areas, that is, sheet metal to glass oranother sheet metal panel, such transitions require a close fit. Toachieve such close tolerances, improved tooling and design techniquesare required, resulting in increased costs.

The prior known panels have normally been rigidly attached to thevehicle fragile either by way of welds or other permanent fasteners.Such panels were typically made from the sheet metal or plastic as aseparate part. Others were designed as an integral portion of thevehicle frame making it essentially impossible to gain access behind thepanel from the vehicle exterior. Such integral designing of the panelsresulted in increased costs for tooling and manufacturing of the vehicleframe. Disadvantages inherent in these later plastic panels includedmisalignment of the metal stamping within the unsupported plastic panelresulting in a poor fit of the panel to the vehicle body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a multi-part panel assembly whichsatisfies fitting requirements with minimal tooling, inventory, andlabor time involved. Specifically, the invention is a two-piece panelassembly provided pre-assembled for installation on a vehicle. The twopanels comprising the assembly may be detachable from each other and thevehicle to aid in replacement and easy access.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a multi-part panel assemblyespecially adapted for use in vehicles which is preassembled for easyinstallation. The preassembled panel assembly reduces irregularitiesassociated with subjective placement of the assembly in the vehiclewhile allowing easy replacement of the individual components.

In general, a broad form of the invention is an assembly including afirst panel adapted to fit in and/or close an opening of the vehicle. Asecond panel is adapted to lie adjacent the first panel and overlie atleast a portion of the vehicle. An attachment member is secured on theperipheral edge of the first panel for detachably coupling the secondpanel to the edge of the attachment member. The second panel alsoincludes means for detachably mounting the second panel to the firstpanel. In a preferred embodiment, the second panel is also detachablycoupled at a second location to the vehicle.

In another form of the invention, the multi-part panel assemblycomprises a transparent, sheet-like panel having a peripheral edge.Molded to the transparent, sheet-like panel, about at least a portion ofthe peripheral edge, is a polymeric attachment member or gasket. Thegasket is provided to locate and seal the transparent, sheet-like panelin an opening in the vehicle body and includes a first portion of asecuring means at its outer edge.

A second panel is adapted to overlie and conceal the attachment memberand a predetermined portion of the vehicle frame. The second panelincludes a second portion of a securing means for engaging the firstportion of the securing means defined in the gasket, creating adetachable coupling therebetween. Preferably, the second panel is alsodetachably coupled to that portion of the vehicle frame which the paneloverlies at a position spaced from the securing means.

In a preferred form of the invention, the multi-part panel assemblyincludes a transparent window pane designed to fit in one of therecesses defined in the vehicle body. A gasket member is molded directlyon at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the window from amoldable, resinous material such that the gasket can be securely adheredto the window. A portion of the gasket exterior is molded so as todefine a female coupler.

Lying adjacent and partially overlapping the window and molded gasket isa second decorative panel or applique also preferably molded from aresinous material. An inside surface of the applique has a male coupleradapted to engage the female coupler on the exterior of the gasket. Theapplique overlies a predetermined portion of the vehicle body and isdetachably coupled at a position from the male/female coupling theretoby a second coupler. The second coupling includes a variety of fastenersreadily disconnected under tension.

As will be understood from the invention, numerous advantages over priorknown panel assemblies are provided. These include cost savings andmanufacturing simplification by the elimination of prior known metalbrackets due to the improved coupling of the panel to the vehicle. Thenew panel assemblies provide significantly better manufacturingconsistency and tolerance for fitting the applique to the vehicle body.Because of the closer tolerance between the panels, wind noise caused byturbulence at the panel boundaries is reduced. The closer toleranceprovided by the molded attachment members also eliminates the need forthreaded fasteners in prior known assemblies. The panel assembly alsoenables easier attachment and installation of the window and applique tothe vehicle, providing a greater ability to properly position theapplique in the vehicle itself. Further, the panel assembly eliminatesthe need for multiple, preformed, separate elements which must be joinedtogether by the vehicle manufacturer. The panel assembly is shipped as apreformed unit thereby reducing separate parts inventories for themanufacturer. The panel assembly is durable and noncorrosive and welladapted for use in often harsh environments encountered by the vehicle.Yet another advantage of the instant invention is the ability to placethe panel assembly in existing vehicles, replacing the existing panelsor appliques.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a generic vehicle illustrating the variousapplications of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a windscreen of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation, sectional view taken along lines III--III inFIG. 2;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views of alternate embodiments of thepresent invention employed at the A-pillar of the vehicle;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged illustration of the rear quarter window shown inFIG. 1;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are sectional and bottom plan views, respectively, takenalong lines VII--VII and VIII--VIII, as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIGS. 9-11 illustrate various post-attachment members including varioustypes of detachable couplers therebetween; and

FIGS. 12-15 illustrate alternate embodiments of detachable fasteners foruse in connection with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, FIG. 1 is a perspectiveview of a vehicle highlighting locations, indicated by dashed circlesA-D, where the present invention is typically used. Vehicle 20 includesa windscreen 22 nested within and closing a windscreen opening 24bordered along its lower edge by a cowl or leafscreen 26 providing aircirculation into the engine compartment and/or heater ducts, along itsupper edge, by a roof panel 28 and laterally by A-pillars 30. Otherfixed panels include rear quarter window 32 bounded by rear quarterpanel 34, B-pillar 36, and C-pillar 38. C-pillars 38, roof panel 28 andtrunk panel (not shown) also bound back light (not shown) of vehicle 20.

As shown in FIG. 2, a multi-part panel assembly 40 is used in connectionwith windscreen 22. Windscreen 22 includes a transparent, glass sheet orpanel 42 which may be tempered, laminated or otherwise strengthenedusing conventional principles. Panel 42, comprising a first panel ofmulti-part panel assembly 40, may also be curved to fit within and closewindscreen opening 24. Although not necessary, it is preferred that aninside peripheral surface of panel 40 include an opaque ceramic fritlayer 44 (FIG. 3), well-known in the industry, to cosmetically improvethe appearance of windscreen 22 once in the vehicle. Opaque frit layer44 conceals unfinished portions of window opening 24 once panel 42 is inplace. At least a portion of peripheral edge 46 (FIG. 3) of panel 42contains a gasket or attachment member 48 which may be molded directlyon panel 42 from a resinous plastic or polymeric molding material. Forlaminated panels, it is preferred that the gasket be molded from areaction injected molded (RIM) polyurethane because of the relativelylow pressures required for the molding process. A thermoplastic materialsuch as polyvinyl chloride may be used for non-laminated panels.

Prior to molding of gasket 48, the peripheral edge 46 may be cleaned inthose areas where the gasket will engage the glass using a solvent suchas methylethylketone and preferably coated with a primer to promoteadhesion between panel 42 and gasket 48. A suitable primer for RIMurethane gaskets is provided under the designation AP-134, produced byLord Corporation of Erie, Pa., while the primer suitable for polyvinylchloride is "DX-4a" produced by Donnelly Corporation of Holland, Mich.

As shown in FIG. 3, gasket 48 is molded directly about peripheral edge46 of panel 42 and includes securing flanges 50 and 52 which extendinwardly on either side of panel 42. Securing flanges 50 and 52,together with that portion of gasket 48 bonded to the peripheral edgesurface, are securely bonded to glass panel 42 during the moldingprocess so as to securely fasten gasket 48 to the panel. From securingflanges 50 and 52, located along inner edge 54 of gasket 48, the gasketis profiled forming a convex upper surface 56 and a stepped lowersurface 58. The profile of gasket 48 narrows toward outer edge 60 toform a flange 62. A plurality of slots or sockets 64 extend throughflange 62 at predetermined spaced intervals and are elongated in adirection paralleling gasket 48 for the purpose of providing one-half ofa securing assembly or coupler which will be described in greater detailbelow. The polymeric material comprising the slots or sockets should besufficiently flexible to receive the securing assembly or coupler.

An adhesive designated as 65 is placed between panel 42 and the bodysheet metal surrounding and defining opening 24 to bond panel 42 to thevehicle. Typically, an extruded urethane bead is used to bond panel 42to vehicle 20. Auto manufacturers may use a variety of adhesives, one ofwhich is sold under the trade name "BETASEAL," produced by EssexSpecialty Products of Sayerville, N.J.

Lying immediately adjacent gasket 48 and overlying flange 62 extendingfrom gasket 48 is one edge of cowl or leafscreen 26 comprising thesecond panel of multi-part panel assembly 40. Leafscreen inner edge 66is designed to abut against the base of convex surface 56 at flange 62.A lower surface 68 of leafscreen 26 has an elongated post 70 adapted toextend through elongated slot or socket 64 in flange 62. Post 70 has asingle barb detent 72 extending to one side at one end to retain thepost within slot 64. Alternate embodiments of this coupling aredescribed in greater detail below.

Leafscreen 26 is preferably formed from a high impact polypropyleneco-polymer such as PP1188 produced by A. Schulman, Inc. of Birmingham,Mich., though alternate materials such as Celanox 6407 manufactured byThe Celanese Corporation may be substituted. Using conventionalinjection molding techniques, leafscreen 26 may be molded to the desiredshape and form for the specific application. The leafscreen may bemolded in color or painted to match or complement the exterior color ofthe vehicle. The posts 70, contrary to the polymeric material formingslots or sockets 64, should be rigid to pass through slots or sockets 64to provide relative ease in fastening and unfastening the two panels.

Leafscreen 26 may be detachably coupled to the vehicle at a secondlocation so that it may be removed from the vehicle if desired. FIG. 3generally illustrates that leafscreen panel 26 may be coupled toward itsouter edge 74 by a variety of mechanical fasteners such as generallyindicated by reference numeral 100. Other fastening mean are describedmore fully below in FIGS. 12-15.

In general, multi-part panel assembly 40 utilizes a first panel 42 ofpredetermined shape and size having at least a portion of a peripheraledge fixed with a gasket 48 or attachment member. A second panel 26 isadapted to lie adjacent the first panel 42 and overlie at least aportion of the gasket 48 or attachment member. The portion of gasket 48underlying the second panel forms a first half of a coupler adapted toreceive a second half 70 of a coupler extending from the second panel.In this manner, second panel 26 is both precisely aligned with anddetachably coupled to the gasket which is secured to the vehicle. Secondpanel 26 may also be detachably coupled at a second location to thevehicle body to enable complete removal of the second panel if desired.The nature of the two couplers provides a secure attachment of thesecond panel 26 to the vehicle to withstand substantially any conditionunder normal use.

An advantage provided by panel assembly 40 is the substantial reductionin misalignment that occurs between such components on the assemblyline. Since panel 42 and leafscreen 26 of this invention are joined bythe coupling at gasket 48, inner edge 66 of leafscreen 26 isautomatically aligned. As a preassembled panel assembly 40, it may beinstalled on the vehicle as a unit, economizing assembly time and labor.Moreover, since panel assembly 40 is preassembled, it may also beshipped to the auto assembler as a single part, thus reducing inventoryand the administration associated therewith.

Panel assembly 40, described above in relation to the lower edge ofwindscreen 22, has similar applications at other portions of thevehicle. These other applications are illustrated, by way of exampleonly, in FIG. 1 regions B-C. FIGS. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views ofalternate embodiments of multi-part panel assembly 40 at one A-pillar,shown in area B of FIG. 1. In both figures, the A-pillar includes asheet metal pillar 80, a portion of which extends inwardly to define thelateral portions of windscreen opening 24. Another portion 82 forms thevehicle door opening. Pillar 80, as well as several other pillar postslocated about the passenger compartment, support roof panel 28.

Similar to the previous embodiment described above, windscreen 22 has ashape and form adapted to nest within and close opening 24 As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, at least a portion of the peripheral edge 46 of panel 42is cleaned, primed and receives gasket 48, molded thereon with securingflanges 50 and 52. The profile of gasket 48 is reduced from inner edge54 toward outer edge 60 to form flange 62 containing slots 64. Flange 62is disposed in substantially the same plane as securing flange 50, awayfrom pillar 80.

Instead of leafscreen 26, pillar 80 is covered by a second panel ordecorative applique 84, extending the length of pillar 80 from roofpanel 28 downwardly to the front quarter panel or fender. In oneembodiment shown in FIG. 4, inner edge 86 of applique 84 is designed tolie at the base of convex upper surface 56 and overlie flange 62. In analternate embodiment shown in FIG. 5, inner edge 86a of applique 84aextends over gasket 48a to windscreen panel 42 so that applique 84acovers and substantially conceals gasket 48a. In this embodiment, upperconvex surface 56a is significantly reduced from surface 56 shown inFIG. 4 to allow applique 84a to be close to windscreen panel 42 whilesimultaneously keeping the overall shape of applique 84a close to thevehicle.

In FIG. 4 applique 84 includes one or more securing posts 88 on orspaced along its inside surface. Each post 88 includes a single detentoffset to one side, which post is adapted to be received by slots 64. Itis preferred in this embodiment that securing post 88 be located along,or substantially close to, the inner edge 86. This location of securingpost 88 reduces dimpling or shrinkage of the preferred urethane (TPU)material, described above, which is molded to form the applique. Sincethe applique is adapted to receive a high-gloss finish, dimpling orshrinkage of the urethane will cause an imperfection in finish surface90. Thus, such imperfections are moved to the outer edges of the panelwhere they are less noticeable.

FIG. 5, on the other hand, illustrates post 88a inboard of inner edge86a. The inner edge 86a extends over and conceals gasket 48a thuslocating pin or post 88a over slot 64a. Also note FIG. 5 illustrates, inthe alternative, a dual detent used to retain post 88a within slot 64a.

A variety of detachable fasteners may be used at a second locationinterconnecting pillar 80 and the inner surface 92 of applique 84. Asseen in FIGS. 4 and 5, one-half 94 of a detachable fastener 76 ispreferably adhered with an adhesive in a sink or channel 96 defined inpillar 80. An opposite half 98 of the detachable fastener 76 may befixed by adhesive or the like to inner surface 92 of applique 84. It ispreferred that fastener 76 be detachable under tension, yet strongenough to retain applique 84 in place under normal use in thealternative, or in addition to fastener 76, a threaded fastener 100,shown in phantom in FIG. 4, may extend through applique branch 82 andinto pillar 80 to retain applique panel 84 in place.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged illustration of rear quarter window 32 shown inFIG. 1. Rear quarter window 32 is bounded along its lower edge by rearquarter panel 34, along its forward edge by B-pillar 36, and C-pillar 38and roof panel 28 along its upper edge. This environment offers at leasttwo applications of multi-part panel assembly 40 along each of thepillars, 36 and 38. Other applications may be envisioned for trim piecesextending into quarter panel 34 and roof panel 28. However, for thepurposes of simplicity, the following discussion will be made inrelation to its application in association with B-pillar 36. It shouldbe understood that although specific application of the invention toC-pillar 38 will not be discussed in detail, the structural relation ofthe various components will be substantially the same as those describedin relation to B-pillar 36. Possible differences may reside in the crosssection of the posts within each pillar, otherwise the two regions havesubstantially similar or equivalent components.

Referring to FIGS. 6-8, rear quarter window 32 includes a glass panel102 forming the first panel of multi-part panel assembly 4C. Panel 102may be transparent or opaque, and of a particular shape adapted to nestwithin and close opening 104. Depending upon whether panel 102 is fixedor movable, all or a portion of the panel's peripheral edge 106 has aurethane, PVC or other resinous plastic gasket 108. As in the previousembodiments, panel 102 may include a ceramic frit layer 110 along itsinner surface adjacent its periphery. It is again preferred that atleast the portion of peripheral edge 106 receiving gasket 108 be cleanedand receive a suitable primer to improve the bonding between panel 102and molded gasket 108.

Gasket 108 is molded directly about peripheral edge 106 so that securingflanges 112 and 114 extend inwardly on each side of panel 102 from theedge. Although a three-sided encapsulation is disclosed, gasket 108 maybe molded to a single side of panel 102 along peripheral edge 106. InFIGS. 5, 7 and 8, gasket 108 is profiled, having a slightly convex uppersurface 116 between inner edge 118 and outer edge 120. Lower surface 122includes a channel 124 which is substantially coextensive with gasket108.

Outer edge 120 includes at least one flange 126, and preferably severalat spaced intervals along the length of gasket 108, adapted to receivethe second panel 146. Flange 126 further includes at least one slot 128elongated in a direction paralleling gasket 108. Each flange 126,extending from outer edge 120, is flexible to some degree given thecharacteristics of the polymeric material from which it is formed. Tobolster each flange 126, braces or gussets 130 may be locatedperiodically to interconnect flange 126 with lower surface 122 of gasket108. Braces 130 are molded as an integral part of gasket 108.

To fix panel 102 and gasket 108 within opening 104, a bead of adhesive132, such as described above, is applied between panel 102 and pinchflange 134. In the alternative, studs 136, shown in phantom, may becaptured or molded within gasket 108 so that a shaft 138 extends througha hole 140 in pillar 142, and is retained by nut 144. The retention ofstuds in molded gaskets is described in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No.4,139,234 issued Feb. 13, 1979, assigned to the same assignee as thepresent invention, which is incorporated herein in its entirety byreference.

Attached to flange 126, and concealing pillar 142, is applique panel 146also preferably molded from urethane (TPU) and having a painted outersurface 148 and an inner surface 150. A leg portion 152 of applique 146is angled so as to protrude into door opening 154. Applique 146 isretained over post 142 at a first and second location spaced from oneanother by detachable fasteners. At a first location, securing post orpin 156 extends from inner surface 150 proximate edge 158 butted againstouter edge 120 of gasket 108. Post 156 is elongated in a directionparallel to slot 128 and includes a catch such as single barb detent 160adapted to engage the back of flange 126 and retain edge 158 of applique146 against gasket 108. Applique 146 is detachably coupled at a secondlocation by way of detachable coupler 162 interconnecting inner surface150 of applique 146 to post 142, described in greater detail below.

FIGS. 9-11 illustrate alternate embodiments of the coupling between thegasket, and panel or applique. As briefly mentioned-above, a primaryobject of the instant invention is to provide an easily detachablevehicle panel or applique immediately adjacent a substantially fixedpanel. The relationship between the two panels should be such as toprovide proper panel alignment and a smooth, aerodynamic transitionwhile simultaneously providing an aesthetic appearance. Slots 163 inflange 164 of gasket 168 comprise a first portion of a coupler. A secondportion of a coupler is post 166 which extends from inner surface 170 ofapplique 172.

FIG. 9 is an alternate embodiment of the coupling shown previously inFIGS. 3-8. Flange 164, extending from gasket 168, contains at least one,and preferably a plurality of slots 163. Applique 172 has a plurality ofposts 166 extending from inner surface 170 proximate inner edge 174.Post 166 contains a double barb detent 176 at the end of post 166 whichis forced through slot 163 and retained in place by detents 176.Additional couplings are illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, wherein FIG. 10illustrates a rounded, bulb detent 178 and FIG. 11 illustrates a channel180 defined in the end of post 166 and adapted to receive a pin orexpander 182. Expander 182 wedges apart post 166 so as to hold andretain the post within slot 163.

FIGS. 12-15 are fragmentary, cross sectional views illustrating variousembodiments of detachable couplers such as 76 and 162 used to form thesecond coupling in attaching the panel or applique to the vehicle.

FIG. 12 illustrates a preferred embodiment for coupling panel 26 orappliques 84, 146 and 172 to vehicle 20. For simplicity, referencenumeral 183 will be used to refer to a generic panel or applique, asdescribed above. In substantially all anticipated situations, applique183 will overlie and conceal a portion of the vehicle body indicated byreference numeral 184. Applique 183 is retained in place with respect tobody 184 by a detachable coupler 185, such as produced under thetrademark "DUAL-LOCK" and manufactured by The 3M Company of Minneapolis,Minn. The "DUAL-LOCK" fastener 185, shown in greater detail in FIG.,12a, includes two interlocking sheets, 186 and 188, respectively, eachhaving a self-adhering back surface 190. The interlocking faces of thetwo sheets include a pattern of equilength projections 192 terminatingin hemispherical caps 194. As the two sheets are pressed together, caps194 in each sheet are forced past each other. Flat surfaces 196 on theback of each cap 194 engage identical surfaces of the caps on theopposite sheet, providing a secure coupling. The coupling is such thatopposing axial forces, shown by arrows AF, must be significant in orderto break the connection. However, opposing angular or rotational forcesshown by arrows RF result in disconnection of the coupling.

FIG. 13 is illustrative of the same coupling shown in FIG. 12 with theexception that one sheet of the "DUAL-LOCK" fastener 188 is coupled tovehicle body 184 by way of a "Christmas tree" post 198 extending throughan appropriately sized hole 200. FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate alternateembodiments of means for coupling panel or applique 183 to the vehicleFIG. 14, similar to FIG. 4 above, illustrates a threaded-fastener 202located on a recessed portion. FIG. 15 illustrates the use of adouble-sided tape 204. It is to be understood that alternate methods maybe used to couple the applique to the vehicle.

In operation, a panel of predetermined shape and form is selected forthe appropriate vehicle. As mentioned above, a first panel of assembly40 may be a window or opaque panel adapted to fit within and closing anopening in the vehicle body. For the purposes of the followingdescription a single transparent and tempered sheet of glass such asrear quarter window 32, shown in FIGS. 1 and 6-8, will comprise thefirst panel.

Refer now to FIG. 7. Before molding, the peripheral edge 106 of panel102 to receive molded gasket 108 is cleaned by a solvent and primed. Ifgasket 108 is to be molded from a RIM (reaction injection molded)urethane, methylethylketone solvent may be used to clean the glass.AP-134 Lords primer may be applied after the solvent has been driven offto prepare the surface to receive the gasket. However, if PVC is thedesired molding material, the same solvent may be used to clean, butprimer DX-4a by Donnelly Corporation of Holland, Mich. is the preferredprimer used to prepare the glass surface.

Once the surface is cleaned and primed, glass panel 102 is inserted intoa mold appropriate for the shape of the glass to mold gasket 108. Themold halves are pressed together and the polymeric material is injectedalong the desired portion of the panel's peripheral edge. After thepolymer has cured, the panel 102 and molded polymeric gasket orattachment member 108 are removed as a unit and moved on in the assemblyprocess.

Applique 146 is molded using conventional injection molding techniquesand may be painted for the specific vehicle. Gasket 108 is then coupledto the appropriate applique 146. Inner surface 150, spaced from edge158, has a mated "DUAL-LOCK" brand fastener secured thereto by removingthe self-adhesive protective backing from one of the interlockingsheets. The protective backing for the opposite sheet is left intact forshipping. Inner edge 158 is brought proximate flange 126 so as to insertsecuring post 156 through slots 128 in the flange. Insertion of securingpost 156 into slot 128 places inner edge 158 of applique 146 at thedesired location, aligning it with gasket 108 within one-eighth of aninch, or less. In an alternate embodiment, inner edge 158 overlies andconceals gasket 108, as described in relation to FIG. 5. In either case,detents 160 at the top of securing post 156 engage the lower surface offlange 126 and restrict withdrawal of securing post 156 from slot 128.Attachment of applique 146 to gasket 108 completes the preassembly ofpanel assembly 40. Assembly 40 is packaged and labeled for shipment tothe auto assembler.

It is contemplated that an adhesive for bonding the first panel to thevehicle may also be preapplied to panel 102 and gasket 108, protected bya protective strip, such that an assembler only need remove theprotective strips to install assembly 40. However, an assembler may wishto apply the adhesive to the panel assembly before installation in thevehicle.

Although this invention has been described with reference to reactioninjection molded (RIM) urethane and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), the basicconcept of this invention may be implemented using other materials suchas low pressure PVC or liquid PVC. In addition, different moldingtechniques may be used to form the gasket/attachment member includingcompression molding. Based upon the numerous techniques, there are alsodifferent ways to install the gasket/attachment member on the glass,including molding the gasket separately and placing it around theperipheral edge of the first panel. The applique panel may also bemanufactured from a variety of materials other than those outlinedabove. Although it is preferred that the applique be made from a moldedmaterial, metal may also be used. Appliques described above may alsohave applications extended beyond trim and access panels. For example,the above technique may be extended to entire body panels, not only invehicles, but appliance and buildings as well.

Although the invention has been described with respect to specificpreferred embodiments thereof, many variations and modifications willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, theintention that the appended claims be interpreted as broadly as possiblein view of the prior art to include all such variations andmodifications.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows.
 1. A multi-part panelassembly for a vehicle having at least one portion detachable from thevehicle, comprising in combination:a first panel having a peripheraledge and adapted to close an opening in the vehicle; a second paneldetachable from said first panel and adapted to be adjacent said firstpanel and overlie at least a portion of the vehicle; an attachmentmember secured on said peripheral edge of said first panel; securingmeans on said attachment member and second panel for detachably mountingsaid second panel to said first panel; and coupling means spaced fromsaid securing means for detachably coupling said second panel to thevehicle.
 2. The panel assembly of claim 1, wherein said attachmentmember is molded directly to said first panel.
 3. The panel assembly ofclaim 2, wherein said attachment member further includes a polymericgasket molded directly on and encapsulating the entire peripheral edgeof said first panel.
 4. The panel assembly of claim 1, wherein saidsecuring means include:at least one post having a detent at one end andextending from said second panel along a surface proximate saidattachment member; and said attachment member including at least onesocket adapted to receive said one post.
 5. The panel assembly of claim4, wherein said detent at the end of said post is a single barb detent.6. The panel assembly of claim 4, wherein said detent at the end of saidpost is a double barb detent.
 7. The panel assembly of claim 4, whereinsaid detent at the end of said post is a bulb detent.
 8. The panelassembly of claim 4, which includes:an expandable slot defined in theend of said post; and means received by said expandable slot forspreading the end of said post apart.
 9. The panel assembly of claim 1,wherein said coupling means for detachably coupling said second panel tothe vehicle include:a first portion of a detachable fastener secured toan inner surface of said second panel; and a second portion of adetachable fastener adapted to be secured to an outer surface of thevehicle opposite said first portion and adapted to engage said firstportion, so that said second panel may be detachable from the vehicle.10. The panel assembly of claim 9, wherein said coupling means include atwo-piece hemispherical-type coupler.
 11. The panel assembly of claim 9,wherein said coupling means include a first and a second pad ofinterlocking projections, said first pad secured to an inside surface ofsaid second panel and said second pad adapted to be secured to thevehicle.
 12. The panel assembly of claim 9, wherein said coupling meansincludes double-sided tape.
 13. The panel assembly of claim 9, whereinsaid coupling means includes a threaded fastener.
 14. The panel assemblyof claim 1, wherein said first panel includes a glass sheet.
 15. Thepanel assembly of claim 1, wherein said first panel is transparent. 16.The panel assembly of claim 1, wherein said first panel is opaque. 17.The panel assembly of claim 15, wherein said first panel is a fixedwindow, said attachment member forming a gasket such that said firstpanel will close an opening in the vehicle.
 18. The panel assembly ofclaim 14, wherein said second panel is a trim piece for the vehicle. 19.The panel assembly of claim 18, wherein said trim piece is a decorativeapplique molded from resinous plastic material.
 20. The panel assemblyof claim 14, wherein said second panel is a cowl.
 21. The panel assemblyof claim 20, wherein said cowl is a leafscreen.
 22. The panel assemblyof claim 18, wherein said trim piece overlies one of the roof supportpillars of the vehicle.
 23. A multi-part panel assembly for a vehiclehaving at least one portion detachable from the vehicle, comprising incombination:a first panel having a peripheral edge; a second paneladapted to lie adjacent said first panel; a gasket molded about andencapsulating said peripheral edge of said first panel; securing meanson said gasket and second panel for detachably interconnecting saidfirst and second panels; and coupling means spaced from said securingmeans for detachably coupling said second panel to the vehicle.
 24. Thepanel assembly as recited in claim 23, wherein said first panel includesa transparent sheet.
 25. The panel assembly as recited in claim 23,wherein said first panel includes an opaque sheet.
 26. The panelassembly as recited in claim 23, wherein said second panel includes adecorative panel.
 27. The panel assembly as recited in claim 23, whereinsaid second panel includes a trim piece.
 28. The panel assembly asrecited in claim 23, wherein said second panel includes a leafscreen.29. The panel assembly as recited in claim 23, wherein said second panelincludes a cowl panel.
 30. The panel assembly as recited in claim 23,wherein said securing means include:at least one securing post, havingdetent means at one end and extending from said second panel along asurface proximate said gasket; and at least one slot defined along anouter edge of said gasket adapted to receive said securing post.
 31. Thepanel assembly as recited in claim 23, wherein said coupling meansincludes a mechanical fastener.
 32. The panel assembly as recited inclaim 30, wherein said detent means at the end of said securing postincludes an enlarged tip.
 33. The panel assembly as recited in claim 30,wherein said detent means at the end of said securing post include atleast one barb extending from a side of said post.
 34. The panelassembly as recited in claim 23, wherein said coupling means include:afirst portion of a detachable fastener secured to an inner surface ofsaid second panel distant from said securing means; and a second portionof a detachable fastener adapted to be secured to an outer surface ofthe vehicle opposite said first portion and adapted to engage said firstportion so that said second panel may be detachable from the vehicle.35. A multi-part panel assembly for a vehicle, comprising:a glass panelhaving a peripheral edge; a gasket molded about at least a portion ofsaid peripheral edge of said glass panel and having an exterior surfacedefining a securing means; a decorative panel adapted to be secured tothe vehicle adjacent said glass panel to overlie and cover a portion ofthe vehicle body, and having a first means for detachably mating withsaid securing means; and coupling means spaced from said securing meansfor detachably coupling said second panel to the vehicle body.
 36. Amulti-part panel assembly for a vehicle body, comprising:a first panelmade from a sheet-like material and having a peripheral edge defined byan end surface joining parallel and opposing outer surfaces; a gasketmolded from a polymeric material about and bonded by molding to theperipheral edge of said first panel and capturing said first paneltherein, said gasket having a profile defining a generally convex outersurface, a U-shaped inner surface, and female securing means extendingfrom a surface opposite said first panel; a second panel adapted to befixed to the vehicle body adjacent said first panel to overlie and covera portion of the vehicle body, said second panel including male securingmeans detachably mating with said female securing means extending fromsaid gasket; and coupling means spaced from said securing means fordetachably coupling said second panel with the vehicle body.